1. Print out the multisized pattern. AT 100%, NO PAGE SCALING! Size charts here.2. Cut the left and bottom extra white space of all the pages. (see left image). To make this go faster, stack one row together and cut all at once. If you have a paper cutter it can go even faster.
Just post any questions in the comments section and I will try to answer them in the comments section. And remember for the next few steps BE SURE........to please overlook my ugly kitchen vinyl flooring:)
3. Find a wide flat space to spread out. It must be a space of at least 4.5'x4'.4. Match the letters and numbers of the papers together.
(See left image). Papers are arranged like this....
1------a,b,c,d,e,f
2------a,b,c,d,e,f
3------a,b,c,d,e,f
4------a,b,c,d,e,f
5------a,b,c,d,e,f
6------a,b,c,d,e,f
7------a,b,c,d,e,f
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------8------a,b,c,d,e,f
I recommend working your way up from 8a-f.
3. Tape together. I used packing tape. It's nice and wide. I found it was easiest to tape the horizontal rows first then tape the rows together.
I did find one mistake in the pattern here. (See left image.) It is the Skirt Front Pattern. The pieces did not match up exactly. Maybe it was my printer, but if you have the same problem just overlap the pattern by about 1/2" and cut off the excess on the right (as shown in pic to left).
I know working with a printable PDF file seems super inconvenient but I actually PREFER them to storebought patterns. If you ever want to use the PDF pattern again just print out the piece you need. Storebought tissue patterns are always getting ripped or wrinkled or lost. Plus if you ever want to sort through your patterns, it's easier to do it on the computer rather than digging through a pile of envelopes, pulling out all the tissue sheets, finding your piece, then folding the tissue paper in just the right way to fit it back in the envelope.
4. Once you have everything taped then cut out all the pieces..
5. Fold fabric on the natural crease that was made before being cut from the bolt at the store. Place your pieces on your fabric before you cut.
*Remember if you have lines or an image on your fabric, place the pattern on the fabric as you want them to look on the dress. (IE, DON'T cut a front bodice piece with the lines on the fabric going horizontally and then cut a back bodice piece with the lines going vertically.)
* Remember the "Bodice Front Pattern", "Skirt Front" and "Bodice front facing" all need to be placed on the fold of your fabric so that after it is cut you have two patterns that connect at the middle. The rest of the pieces can be cut anywhere else on your folded fabric.
* The "Ruffle Line Template" does not get cut from fabric. It is just a guide.
* But don't forget the ruffle! It is not in any of the pattern pieces. Just cut a 6"x18" rectangle on the fold of your fabric. When opened up it should be 6"x36".
* I am making a sash for my dress. For size 36, if you would like to make one too, cut a 5.5"x17" rectangle on the fold of a complimentary colored fabric. It should be 5.5"x34" when unfolded. For each size up (ie 36, 38, 40) add1.5" or 3/4" to the folded pattern.
*Please don't be confused that I am using a different fabric for my skirt piece. I thought it might make things easier to see when we're sewing the pieces together. And I thought it would look cool:)
6. Pin pieces to fabric.7. Cut out pieces (THIS PATTERN HAS NO SEAM ALLOWANCE) bummer. So you must cut 1/4" away from the pattern's edge. But don't do this for the edges that lie on the fold since it isn't a seam:)
8. Take out pins and remove patterns from fabric.
Tommorrow.....Bodice!
Pattern courtesy of The Selfish Seamstress.
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